Omaha has seen some iconic restaurants close over the years: Mister C’s, Piccolo Pete’s and most recently, the Bohemian Café. But some old Omaha eateries are thriving. Gorat’s has been a staple at 4917 Center since 1944. It was owned by Louie and Nettie Gorat. In 1960, their only son Pal took over. Four years ago, it left the Gorat’s family and was bought by Gene Dunn. “I'm probably the first one to buy these old restaurants and hopefully we are beyond trying," Dunn says. "We have revived it to be a success for another 68 years.” Dunn stripped the place down. The walls were covered ten layers thick with wallpaper. The carpet, torn out. “When we tore things apart, we found a board in a wall that said '1973'," Dunn recalled. Dunn wanted a simplistic look for Gorat’s. He also made some changes to the menu, keeping the staples and adding chicken, seafood and salads. Dunn also wanted Gorat’s to become a daily stop for lunch or dinner, not only a restaurant for special occasions. “I think we appeal more to people in the neighborhood and the young people now," Dunn says. "We get a lot of babies and we have coloring and a kids menu.” Dunn says the restaurant is also more casual. Gone are the days of men in a tie and coat and ladies wearing evening dresses. Also, a history lesson for you: the original home that sits on the Gorat’s site was built in 1920. A popular chicken restaurant, “Murphy’s Chicken Hut” took over the home. In the early 1930s, it was a Chinese restaurant before the Gorat family took it over in 1944.